Within the Bible, Apostle Peter had said in 2 Peter 1:20, that private interpretation does not qualify as scriptural knowledge nor does it provide the mind of the Lord. Peter continued to say that scriptural knowledge and knowing the mind of the Lord is when a man of God is “moved” by the Holy Ghost.

To be moved by the Holy Ghost clearly sets out the state of mind and heart of a person who receives revelation from God. Since the Holy Ghost does not have a physical body as ours and does not exist in this temporal realm, he then “moves” us from the spiritual realm. The Holy Ghost does this by his power more so than he enters into us, because the Holy Ghost has many people to inspire, even at the same time so he cannot be in one person to inspire and also inspire another a far distance away. Hence he “moves” us by his power which he affect many at the same time. This example was proven in the Bible at the Pentecost, where many were moved by the Holy Ghost at the same time.

Having said that, what then is the value of personal opinion? - There can be only one truth, not many truths and personal opinion has unfortunately been falsely believed as truth.

This is where the interpretation of what I just said can be different for each person. The words “one truth not many” can be interpreted as saying the number of truths, so a person can say that God has many truths about many things so what I said is wrong. Well I say, your interpretation of my words is incorrect, misunderstanding what I said. Another may interpret my words as denying the many ways to God or many ways of God and by his/her interpretation say that everyone will see the same truth differently, so there are many truths, not just one. Well I say, your interpretation of my words is incorrect, misunderstanding what I said. The interpretation game continues, back and forth where many may say, “where do you come from that says you have the only truth?” (in a derogatory tone).

Peter the Apostle knew the problem with personal (private) interpretation. Sure everyone has their personal opinion, but when they are not edified by the Holy Ghost, they have nothing but their own personal views and personal views do not qualify as God’s truth. This is why there are34,000 different Christian denominationsin the world today, yet there was only “one Christian Church of Christ” in the Bible. It is clear that the Holy Ghost has not “moved” these people, who created these many different denominations with different doctrines, despite their claim that they believe and follow the same book, the Bible. According to their beliefs, they have even gone so far as supporting each other, carrying contrary doctrines.  Such as when the Catholic church has accepted other Christian denominations that have denied or rejected baptism, the denial that is contrary to the Bible. How then can salvation be offered by so many “different paths” and be justified by God?

The answer is, there arenot many paths to Godthere is only one and that clearly says there is only one truth. The phrase one truth means only one kind, one source and one set of doctrines which all are from God by way of revelation. This is exactly what Peter the Apostle has said and warned. This is the same use and meaning when the Bible said “one faith”. There is only one kind, one type, one belief system, one Church. Yet, is it not true today that people address other denominational believers as “what faith are you?”

When a man or woman is edified by God, where their minds are converted from being acarnal mind to a spiritual mind,for what they were taught when moved by the Holy Ghost, they are of one mind in that one thing with God. This means they are congruent to the thinking God has in that thing which they were edified. This is why Jesus said, “The Father and I are one“.

The problem that exists for many is that they believe that personal opinion and personal belief, where no edification by the Holy Ghost occurred, is proper or acceptable to God when it is not. The Bible clearly states that this is not what God wants, he wants us to become of “one mind” with him, not many minds which are off on their own personal paths. Jesus Christ made it clear in his example that his will is of no consequence, the will of the Father is and since the will of the Father is the only will to live and abide, then we must become as”one with him“.

A person, who was edified by the Holy Ghost, will speak God’s truth in only those things which he/she was edified. It is then that person speaks prophecy, thespiritual word. So it is also, that when God teaches his principles of life, which includes ethics and morals through the Holy Ghost who moves a person with revelation, that person is edified and will, in that thing which the Spirit taught, speaks truth.

Personal opinion will not see truth, will not hear it clearly. To use personal views as a means to interpret the scriptures, be it the Bible or Book of Mormon, Doctrine of Covenants or Pearl of Great Price, that person will fall short of finding truth. What if a person happens to hear the truth spoken, but remains fast in their personal views? The answer is that theDevil will come and take way the lightthat was given from within that person who just received it. Personal opinion cannot see truth and if another person wants to hear and see truth, they will have to place aside their personal opinions, stop with private interpretations of the scriptures and seek truth from only one source, God.

Personal views will lead a person to perceive “contradiction” between scriptures and that is a cue and warning that personal views are not a way to understand God’s word. Think about it. God is all knowing. He knew from the beginning of the world that the mortal mind and heart is limited and knew that personal views will not suffice and will not bring that person into the fold of God. This is why God clearly warned us tonot lean to our own understandingand to become as children, which is to become teachable. The only way God can teach us, to alter our personal views to align with his mind, the only and one way is by revelation. There is no other way.